An ambitious community-led tourism project today (8 November 2013) unveiled the first of a new collection of art installations that create a heritage trail for the first time telling the story behind the local communities of Carrick, Ayrshire.

Carrick, home to major attractions including the Turnberry Resort and Culzean Castle, has a rich history steeped in Scotland’s roots that its community does not want people to forget.

The first installation took place in Maybole, where 6 etched stainless-steel panels in the shape of boots will mark the old locations of the shoe factories that dominated the area during the 19^th century. Over 1 million pairs of boots and shoes were exported worldwide from the small town annually, while the industry employed approximately 1,600 people.

Maybole is also famous as being the place where the parents of Scotland’s bard Robert Burns met, courted and eventually married. Turnberry is the birthplace of Scottish King Robert the Bruce, while Lendalfoot is known as being the home to the legend of cave-dwelling cannibal Sawney Bean. The stories connected to and connecting the towns of Carrick go on and will now be communicated to a wider audience through the heritage trail.

The heritage trail project has been spearheaded by the Carrick Community Councils’ Forum (CCCF) which established the Carrick Tourism Development Project in 2012.

The Project, part-funded by the Scottish Government and the European Community Ayrshire LEADER 2007-2013 Programme, attracted additional finding from Carrick Futures, Hadyard Hill, South Ayrshire Waste and Environment Trust, South Ayrshire Community Planning, Scottish Power Renewables and SSE. In total, the Project has contributed nearly £200,000 towards boosting tourism in Carrick.

For the first time a new website, brand and other promotional materials have been developed for Carrick, while local communities have been working to develop the heritage trails to reflect the character of their distinct areas and build stories of interest.

The heritage trail project enhances the local sense of place and will for the first time connect and promote Carrick’s heritage to a wider audience.

For the past year, hundreds of community representatives have worked together to identify themes and topics for their trails. A leaflet is being developed as a companion guide to the trails connecting the local communities, highlighting the history, culture and wildlife for visitors looking to explore Carrick. This will also be available online from December 2013.

From pre-Raphaelite painters to endangered red squirrels to links with Charles Rennie Mackintosh, an eclectic mix of information panels in different designs are now being installed to tell the local stories and represent the historic connections between the towns of Carrick.

Peter Mason, Chair of Carrick Community Council’s Forum (CCCF) said:
“I am very proud of what the Carrick Tourism Development Project has achieved in just a year. The new heritage trail is a great legacy of the community’s commitment and teamwork. Every community in Carrick has identified equally exciting stories to tell for local interest as well as for the enjoyment of tourists. As a resident of Maybole, I am delighted to see today’s first installation of the stainless steel signs telling the industrial story of the world-famed ‘tackettie boots’ which Maybole supplied to the world.”

Provost of South Ayrshire, Helen Mooney said:
“You only have to listen to the radio or turn on the television to see that people are curious and excited to learn about the past. What is so special about the Carrick Community Heritage Trail is that it was shaped by the local people who know the area, its assets and history best. Whether you have an interest in art, culture, industrial achievement, folklore, wildlife or protecting the environment, there really is something for everyone.”

David Kiltie, former Chairman of Maybole Community Council, instrumental in the development and design of the Maybole heritage trail said:
“The innovative Carrick Heritage Trail project will build tourism and help to bring the rich history of our area to life for a new generation; keeping our heritage alive for many years to come. The trail invites visitors and tourists to explore more of Scotland by creating cultural links with the communities that make up Carrick. The wonderful stories of our past are well worth hearing.”

By the end of 2013, the CTDP will launch the completed heritage trail including an official map and online resource. In the near future they will be incorporating geo caching to enhance the trail even further.

For more information, images or interviews on the Carrick Tourism Development Project and the Carrick Community Heritage Trail, visit www.carrickayrshire.com  or contact michael@carrickayrshire.com; T: 0141 419 9000/ M: 07715276118